Chapter 58: Exhilarating Frontal Battle
Eleanor stood atop a tall building, her usually quiet and delicate features now radiating commanding authority, giving her the bearing of a seasoned general.
Earlier, under her leadership, the Devil Pirates' defenses had been swiftly breached by the Marines, leaving only scattered pockets of resistance that posed no real threat.
"I see." Eleanor sighed softly after ending her call with Ain.
What a troublesome situation.
Even she would need to exercise caution when facing the combined might of Lao G and Harmon, yet this young man had chosen to confront them head-on.
"A bit impulsive, but that's fitting for someone his age," Eleanor mused with a slight smile.
"Besides, a good fight might temper that overly calm disposition of his."
Rhodes was usually too composed, like a shrewd veteran who had seen through the world's illusions. For someone so young, this wasn't necessarily healthy.
She withdrew from the immediate battlefield with her personal guard and explained the situation.
"What?! Someone dared to bully our Rhodes! Let's go teach them a lesson!" one guard shouted fiercely.
"Can you even handle them? Harmon is a top officer of the Devil Pirates, and Lao G is a core member of the Donquixote Family—both extremely powerful," another replied with a chuckle.
"That's what Sister Eleanor is for!"
Eleanor remained expressionless, clearly accustomed to her subordinates' antics. With a graceful turn that made her coat of justice billow dramatically, she began marching forward.
The guards laughed and hurried to follow.
In their eyes, Rhodes wasn't just Vice Admiral Momousagi's student, but also a younger brother who needed their care and protection.
This had nothing to do with his strength—it was simply his age that awakened protective instincts in these female Marines who sailed the harsh seas.
Of course, it didn't hurt that Rhodes was devastatingly handsome, especially compared to the typically burly Marines!
Lao G's tactical intentions were clear and menacing, but unfortunately for him, he was facing Rhodes.
While Rhodes' raw strength was certainly inferior to the two veterans, and his Armament Haki lacked their refined mastery, that wasn't the decisive factor they'd hoped it would be.
Furthermore, in his lightning-enhanced state, Rhodes' speed increased dramatically while the electrical discharge he released would gradually wear down his opponents. Though both were formidable fighters with incredible resistance, they would still experience numbness and pain that hindered their performance.
With these advantages and disadvantages in play, Rhodes managed the fight with relative ease.
"Jio-Ken!" Lao G forcibly broke through the crackling lightning, arriving with arcs of electricity dancing across his body as he swung his fist toward Rhodes. His speed was tremendous, like a hurricane given form.
Rhodes' response was elegantly simple.
He retreated half a step, gripped his sword with both hands, and executed a sudden horizontal slash.
Ittoryu: Iai!
The effectiveness of an Iai draw varied dramatically depending on the wielder's skill.
If Dracule Mihawk had performed this technique, a single draw could easily cleave an island in half, splitting mountains and seas with casual ease.
While Rhodes was undoubtedly far from Hawkeye's level, the power of this strike was still not to be underestimated.
With a startling ripping sound, the pitch-black blade cut through Lao G's chaotic assault with unstoppable force, sending him flying while leaving a terrifying trail of blood in its wake.
Without bothering to pursue, Rhodes' expression shifted slightly, as if sensing something. In a flash of lightning, he vanished from his position.
Almost instantly, Harmon appeared where Rhodes had been standing. His devastating punch, intended for Rhodes, struck only empty air before being redirected into the ground.
BOOM!
A massive crater several meters in diameter was instantly blasted into the stone street. The crater was perfectly circular with minimal force dispersion, demonstrating incredible control and mastery.
Even Rhodes was impressed by this display of technical precision.
Raw strength and speed alone didn't guarantee mastery of Taijutsu. A true martial arts expert could perfectly channel their power with exquisite control, sometimes achieving effects where minimal force could overcome tremendous strength.
Just like in the Marineford War, where Diamond Jozu, captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' Third Division, had blocked a slash from the world's greatest swordsman Mihawk, then miraculously launched a massive iceberg with a single punch.
While Harmon's control wasn't quite at Diamond Jozu's pinnacle level, it was still highly impressive—which was exactly why Lao G had recruited him.
Unfortunately, no matter how powerful or skillful his control, it was useless if he couldn't land a hit on Rhodes.
Whoosh!
Using the lightning's cover and distraction, Rhodes moved behind Harmon like a phantom and suddenly struck with his blade.
During their previous exchanges, Rhodes had keenly identified Harmon as the weak link in this battle.
Harmon's Kenbunshoku Haki didn't seem particularly strong, especially when disrupted by the constant thunder and electrical interference.
As expected, when Rhodes closed to striking distance behind him, Harmon was still unable to react. Only when the sword slashed out, its sharp cutting aura stimulating his senses, did Harmon suddenly realize the danger—but it was too late to dodge.
Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!
The silver sword energy clashed against Harmon's hardened Armament Haki with a series of sharp sounds like steel grinding against steel.
Harmon's Kenbunshoku Haki might have been weaker, but his Busoshoku Haki was tremendously powerful. He held out for two full seconds before the sword energy finally cut through his defenses, slicing through skin and flesh to reveal pale bone beneath.
But those two crucial seconds were enough for Harmon to react.
He stomped down hard, using the recoil to throw himself sideways, avoiding the follow-up sword energy that would have finished him.
Whoosh!
The brilliant cutting wave continued forward, carving deep gouges in the ground before striking a three-story building and cleaving it cleanly in half.
This terrifying destructive power left Ain and the others watching from afar completely stunned.
Moreover, something seemed fundamentally wrong with this battle.
Shouldn't Rhodes be the one struggling?
Yet it appeared that...
Ain and her companions exchanged glances, each visibly shaken by what they were witnessing.
Lao G and Harmon might not be supreme powerhouses who dominated the New World, but they were certainly formidable fighters—masters who could command respect anywhere.
Yet even with their combined strength, they weren't just failing to defeat Rhodes—they were being systematically outmatched!
Crackle!
Under everyone's amazed gaze, Lao G and Harmon launched into a frenzied assault, charging at Rhodes with punches, kicks, even headbutts and desperate grappling attempts.
By now, both veteran fighters were consumed with rage.
After all, they were renowned masters, yet today they were being humiliated by a teenager. If word of this spread, their enemies would mock them for the rest of their lives.
They couldn't bear such disgrace!
Even so, Rhodes wasn't completely unscathed. A thin trail of blood marked the corner of his mouth—the result of a perfectly coordinated attack between the two veterans that had left him no choice but to trade blows with Lao G.
Despite the injury, his offensive didn't slow in the slightest, becoming even more frenzied and fierce!
He showed no sign of weakness, fighting with absolutely thrilling intensity!
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